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kishy's 1985 Country Squire

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    Originally posted by jaywish View Post
    You might want to check the wheel bearings for any play.
    It has 95-97 front end stuff - I don't think that is a likely failure this early in the life of the hub-bearing. Still maybe a good idea to check overall wheel play in all directions from any potential cause, of course.

    Originally posted by mitymerc View Post
    Wagons are fun to drive...
    It's pretty fantastic. It gets lots of attention, too.


    Bumped the idle. Cold weather was making 2-footing necessary until it warmed up. Some day, I'll fix the cold idle bits. Still a bit ticked off about those screws breaking off.

    Last night, added a 4-flat trailer connector. Pulled all the driver side rear quarter plastics out and tapped in (solder, not crimp splices) in the driver rear corner. Would prefer everything to be relayed, but I didn't feel like pulling a new wire back from the battery. There's a looooot of car to cover in between. Not sure how the factory tow wiring works, this car doesn't have it. EVTM is MIA. I'm suspecting there's a whole sub-harness that probably starts somewhere near the fuse panel on cars so-equipped.

    Oil sprayed the inside of the quarter panel...I was there anyway and it's kind of irritating to access so it made sense.







    Test fitted the Ranger Trailer using a typical drawbar, flipped to rise instead of drop. Fits close...pretty much ideal really. The ball is as close as mechanically possible to the hitch mounting points.




    Current driver: Ranger
    Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
    | 88 TC | 91 GM
    Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
    Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
    | Junkyards

    Comment


      The MegaMerc had a new never used wiring kit in the well.



      87 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Country Squire Station Wagon. 4.10's, Repacked Trac Loc, Boxed LCA's, Explorer Intake, 65mm T-body, 'Stang Cam, 'Stang Air tube, K&N, GT-40X Heads, 1" Spacer, 1 5/8 BBK's, 2.5" Pypes X-pipe w/high flow cats, Single Chamber Thunderbolts, B&M 'vertor, Po-lice Swaybars.

      91 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park Station Wagon. K-Code, 4.10's, Repacked Trac Loc, MK VII LSC Engine, 'Stang Upper Intake, Stang Air Tube, K&N, 65 mm T-Body, 'Stang Headers, 'Stang Cat Pipe,'Stang Torque Convertor, 2 Chamber Thunderbolts.

      Comment


        Factory tow wiring has 3 relays in the trunk that are wired into the rear lights. Two for turn, one for parking. Power feeds from the starter relay through those relays to the trailer connector. Makes it so the trailer doesn't affect the blink rate and it puts basically no extra load on the stock light circuits. There is also usually wiring to the front kick panel area for a brake controller, and a charge wire in the trailer harness. Don't recall if that is switched or not. Its a no bullshit trailer wiring system.
        86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
        5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

        91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

        1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

        Originally posted by phayzer5
        I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

        Comment


          If you find you have issues I did mine this way:

          http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...l=1#post828036

          Still need to source power..which i understand is not fun running all the way to the back.

          I have yet to tow anything...but the system works as it should after testing it out with a 4 blade tester.
          ~David~

          My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
          My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

          Originally posted by ootdega
          My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

          Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
          But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

          Originally posted by gadget73
          my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




          Comment


            One of those trailer power module things (probably just full of relays) is an attractive option for being neat, integrated, and easy. I may go that route if a very cheap one comes my way. I want to do some rear power distribution anyway, maybe a couple 12V sockets and USB chargers in the driver side storage cubby, so I'll just pull something like a 10ga wire to the back and distribute as appropriate. When I get to it.

            The Gas-a-Justs arrived today, and have been installed. 5500km on the blue Monroes. They are super garbage, but not any worse than they were when they were new...it's just how they are. They came out effortlessly thanks to my liberal use of anti-seize. All 4 shocks replaced in a little over an hour. Not bad. Car handles way better as expected.










            Current driver: Ranger
            Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
            | 88 TC | 91 GM
            Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
            Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
            | Junkyards

            Comment


              "Fix the cigarette lighter."

              (Leaking diff cover gasket)
              1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
              1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

              Comment


                I don't actually think the diff cover is leaking. I didn't clean it when it was off, and it looks about the same as I remember.
                The engine, on the other hand...oh boy is that leaking. The whole driver side of the pan is soaked. It may be the pan gasket, I don't think the issue is further up (rear of intake or valve cover).

                The amazing thing is that this one doesn't seem to have a pinion seal leak.
                Last edited by kishy; 10-02-2020, 09:18 AM.

                Current driver: Ranger
                Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
                | 88 TC | 91 GM
                Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
                Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
                | Junkyards

                Comment


                  Oh, your confidence!

                  Most everything seal related I do I clean stuff to help me check for leaks later, because of course I'm paranoid there will be some.
                  1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
                  1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

                  Comment


                    The pinion seal on the Conti dumped a puddle of oil on the garage floor in about 3 days. Probably the first time the oil level had been correct in a long time and it was not happy about it. Most of them just weep enough to make a mess on the diff without actually drooling on the ground.
                    86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                    5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                    91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                    1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                    Originally posted by phayzer5
                    I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                    Comment


                      That was the diff in Ashley's C1500. ONce I filled it to the proper level, it began leaking like mad. I don't tolerate leaks from a diff at all.
                      1985 LTD Crown Victoria - SOLD
                      1988 Town Car Signature - Current Party Barge

                      Comment


                        With the pandemic being what it is, my usual yearly vacation to Pelee Island with my boyfriend and mother didn't happen in May. The island is a small, relatively isolated community, and the ferry is government-run, so it was to everyone's advantage to just not even try at that time. We were, however, able to pull it off for the past week of the 4th through today, and it was a great week weather-wise. Pelee Island is the southernmost inhabited part of Canada, has its own micro-climate and the past week was almost summerlike.

                        This also happens to be where I dragged the wagon home from 3 years ago, so it was kind of neat to bring the car back now that it's fully up and running*.
                        *: a thorough go-through of engine management is still required

                        Some pics:

                        Back at the house I collected it from. As Americans are not currently allowed in Canada, the American property owners were not present.


                        Found this one again...it's been around the island for a long time.


















                        The lower shock bolts on the passenger side are a problem and I will be addressing them before the weekend is over. At first I thought the (admittedly shit quality) hardware I used had stripped, but the spot welded nut is no longer welded and the bolt has wiggled its way most of the way out. I have some U-nuts to solve this. It's Thanksgiving on Monday, so the long weekend is a nice bonus on top of the last week off.

                        Current driver: Ranger
                        Panthers: 83 GM 2dr | 84 TC | 85 CS
                        | 88 TC | 91 GM
                        Not Panthers: 85 Ranger | Ranger trailer | 91 Acclaim | 05 Focus
                        Gone: 97 CV | 83 TC | 04 Focus | 86 GM
                        | Junkyards

                        Comment


                          I'll say it again. You sure have a knack for taking photos.


                          I did a double take with the first Crown Victoria photo. At first glance I thought he was sporting a unique (and extra shiny) roof top cargo carrier.
                          ~David~

                          My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
                          My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

                          Originally posted by ootdega
                          My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

                          Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
                          But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

                          Originally posted by gadget73
                          my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




                          Comment


                            It would seem you favor the wagon for road tripping. Can’t say I blame you. They are made for it.
                            1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
                            1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

                            GMN Box Panther History
                            Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
                            Box Panther Production Numbers

                            Comment


                              those lower shock mounts are not very good. Mine stripped out a long time ago. I have some crappy speed nuts in there holding it together but at some point in the future I really should come up with a better fix. I have a rivet nut installer tool at work, possibly that is the solution. My other thought was drop the control arm and weld nuts inside, but I really don't feel like dealing with the springs again.
                              86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                              5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                              91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                              1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                              Originally posted by phayzer5
                              I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                              Comment


                                Originally posted by gadget73 View Post
                                those lower shock mounts are not very good. Mine stripped out a long time ago. I have some crappy speed nuts in there holding it together but at some point in the future I really should come up with a better fix. I have a rivet nut installer tool at work, possibly that is the solution. My other thought was drop the control arm and weld nuts inside, but I really don't feel like dealing with the springs again.
                                I hear you on that. Same boat here. Want to do it the right way but those springs........
                                ~David~

                                My 1987 Crown Victoria Coupe: The Brown Blob
                                My 2004 Mercedes Benz E320:The Benz

                                Originally posted by ootdega
                                My life is a long series of "nevermind" and "I guess not."

                                Originally posted by DerekTheGreat
                                But, that's just coming from me, this site's biggest pessimist. Best of luck

                                Originally posted by gadget73
                                my car starts and it has AC. Yours doesn't start and it has no AC. Seems obvious to me.




                                Comment

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